Perspective: Racial inequality tearing communities apart | Nusrat Qadir

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Freddie Gray’s neighborhood had more than half of its residents unemployed and lacking even a high school education. The homes in the neighborhood were abandoned and left vacant.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: MyCentral Jesrsy.com
By Nusrat Qadir | May 3, 2015

Thousands of miles away, Nepal is suffering from a devastating earthquake that has taken more than 5,500 lives and left countless in despair. Buildings and monuments were destroyed instantly and families left shattered with hopes to rebuild from what remains.

Organizations like Humanity First have rapidly sent much needed medical aid and disaster relief to help with the recovery process. Meanwhile here in America, we witnessed the destruction of the city of Baltimore yet not due to a natural disaster, but by an emotional disaster. Residents of Baltimore took to the streets in an emotional outrage and by doing so tore their own neighborhood apart. Much like after an earthquake, the need to rebuild and recover is necessary. Yet while aid and disaster relief organizations rush to the aid of Nepal, we find little help rushing to deal with the crisis in Baltimore.

Curfews have been implemented to maintain order, but a curfew does not solve the racial divide being experienced by the city of Baltimore. The jolt of police brutality and lack of accountability has been felt by more than just the citizens of Baltimore. Racial tension and socioeconomic disparities rumble beyond Baltimore with resounding aftershocks felt each time racial injustice occurs. Senseless looting and destruction with rioting only escalates emotions and tensions, but does not bring the peace and dialogue needed to bridge the racial tensions we are are experiencing as a nation. As Americans, we must recognize that these tremors go beyond Baltimore and that a rapid solution is needed.

As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, we are taught that in Islam a fair ruler is closest to God. With this in mind, it is imperative that the justice department hold the officers involved accountable for their actions. As Ahmadi Muslims we are also taught to obey those in authority, which requires that all citizens must refrain from violence and remain peaceful and cooperative.

We know that no race has superiority over another race and only good actions and piety measure a person’s true superiority. Freddie Gray’s neighborhood had more than half of its residents unemployed and lacking even a high school education. The homes in the neighborhood were abandoned and left vacant. These are indeed signs of great socio-economic disparity and ones that must be addressed before any true recovery is found.

We cannot afford to be a country that suffers from catastrophe at the hands of our own neglect. Let’s rebuild America together and give ourselves the much-needed relief from the devastation caused by racial inequality.

Nusrat Qadir
MORRISTOWN


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